This column is for people who remember — or who heard stories from their parents or grandparents — that staticky, buzzing melody of beeps when someone would dial in for a connection to the internet, and an equally static-sounding machine at the other end would answer. It was called a “handshake.” It sounded a bit […]
Posted inNews, Health, Economy
SNAP benefits on pace to run out in two weeks if shutdown persists
WASHINGTON — As the federal government shutdown extends to day 17, and with congressional leaders nowhere near negotiating, state officials are beginning to raise concerns of potential cuts to nutrition assistance benefits that feed millions if the government isn’t reopened. Minnesota has already halted new enrollments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. And officials in Kansas, New Hampshire and New Mexico have warned […]
Posted inLocal News, Public Safety
School board member resigns, charged with violating protective orders
A school board member faces charges of violating protective orders filed by members of his immediate family. Mark Jamison was elected to the school board in 2023. He turned in his resignation on Oct. 10, a year before his term was scheduled to end. Four days later, he was charged with four misdemeanor counts of […]
Posted inNews
Here’s how you can help survivors of the Western Alaska storm
Community groups and businesses across the state are coordinating relief efforts after the remnants of Typhoon Halong brought widespread devastation to Western Alaska. The storm has killed one person, left two missing, displaced hundreds and destroyed or damaged dozens of homes, especially in the hardest-hit communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. Here’s how you can help. Financial […]
Posted inSoutheast News
Juneau’s airport not showing Noem video blaming Democrats for shutdown, but some other Alaska airports likely will
A traveler getting on a plane at Juneau International Airport won’t see a Trump administration video blaming Democrats for the federal government shutdown, but may well see it if passing through the airports in Anchorage or Fairbanks. The video is part of a series of blatantly political attacks by Trump officials in official government communications, […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Alaska’s whooping cough outbreak infected hundreds, with infants suffering the most
Alaska’s outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, has now subsided, but it created some significant impacts for residents, state data shows. The outbreak ran from April 2024 to 2025. During that 12-month period, there were 679 confirmed or probable cases reported in the state, said a newly released bulletin from the Alaska Division of Health’s epidemiology […]
Posted inLocal News
Working group discusses lack of childcare options in the Chilkat Valley
A childcare working group facilitated by the Haines Economic Development Corporation met for the second time on Tuesday for a discussion about the state of childcare in Haines and efforts to improve access. Haines Mayor Tom Morphet chaired the meeting, which featured a roundtable of around five people, including local business owners and stakeholders from […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted: A dangerously dead moose, a first mountain goat, a forced vacation
High atop Geisan/Mt. Ripinsky on Oct. 11, just one day before Asher Jimenez’s 14th birthday, he shot his very first mountain goat. Jimenez was with his cousin Liz Segars and friend Jonathan Rasch. They camped for a night before getting the goat. He was a pretty big billy, with 10-inch horns, and was reportedly very […]
Posted inLocal News
Assembly votes to cut ties with Lutak dock contractor
The fraught relationship between the Haines Borough and Lutak Dock contractor Turnagain Marine is officially ending, with the assembly Tuesday voting to cut ties with the contractor. The city hired Turnagain in 2022 to design and rebuild the dock, but construction did not go forward as planned – the cause of which is the subject […]
Posted inLocal News
Assembly Briefs: a new fire chief, federal lobbyists, Freeride World Tour, and a dock response
A new fire chief The assembly Tuesday approved the hire of Zac Overmyer as the Haines Borough’s first full-time professional Fire Chief. The volunteer department has previously been headed by a volunteer chief. Overmyer comes to the borough with firefighting experience around the state, including 11 years at the Chugiak Fire Department, borough manager Alekka […]